Watertown man faces prison term for trying to assault jail guard

A Watertown man faces up to four years in state prison for trying to assault a corrections officer at the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building.

Michael W. Williams, 35, whose last known address was 148 N. Orchard St., pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted assault. He admitted that he tried to injure Officer James E. Gayne while placing him in a chokehold Oct. 5. Police said at the time that the officer suffered cuts on his head and elbow.

Mr. Williams is expected to be sentenced May 3 to an indeterminate term of two to four years in prison. He will be sentenced as a second-felony offender, having been convicted in 2002 of third-degree burglary.

In other court activity:

Jessica M. Raymo, 22, of 3177 Route 58, Gouverneur, pleaded guilty to use of a child in a sexual performance. She admitted that while living on Fort Drum in July 2011 she induced a 15-year-old girl to engage in a sexual act with her that was broadcast via the Internet to her husband, Shawn S.S. Raymo, a Fort Drum soldier deployed to Afghanistan. Mrs. Raymo said she did so at the request of her husband, who also is facing a charge that he used a child in a sexual performance. She is expected to be sentenced May 24 to 10 years probation and be ordered to register with the state as a sex offender.

Steel A. Angus, 25, Clayton, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree attempted criminal possession of stolen property, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving and unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. He admitted that on July 12 he tried to possess a 2006 Honda Accord without the owners permission. He also admitted that on the same day, he was intoxicated when he led police on a pursuit that began on Route 37 in the town of Pamelia and exceeded 100 mph before Mr. Angus crashed his vehicle into a barricade on Clover Street, a short, dead-end street adjacent to Starwood Apartments on Starbuck Avenue.

He was sentenced to an unspecified amount of time served at the PSB, was fined $500, had his drivers license revoked and was ordered to install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he owns or operates.

Tori K. Vick, 25, of 661 Factory St., Apt. 2, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault. He admitted that on June 7, he, with others, took part in an assault on Paul E. LaDuke in the 600 block of Boyd Street. The victim suffered cuts, bruises and a broken tooth, while $150 was forcibly stolen from him. Mr. Vick is expected to be sentenced May 17 to time served at the PSB and five years probation.

Michael J. Desormeau, 24, Watertown, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He admitted that on Oct. 17 he possessed a drivers license belonging to Stephanie A. Babel, which had been stolen from her vehicle on Winslow Street. He was sentenced to six months in the PSB.

Christopher C. Wash, 33, Grovetown, Ga., formerly of Fort Drum, pleaded guilty to third-degree grand larceny. He admitted that on Dec. 21 in the town of Watertown he stole a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe from Widrick Auto Sales on Route 11. Police said at the time that Mr. Wash bought a vehicle using a worthless check as a down payment and provided some false documentation. He is expected to be sentenced June 3 to time served at the PSB and five years probation. He also will be ordered to pay $1,094 in restitution.

Najmeddine Guizani, 23, Montreal, Quebec, pleaded guilty by mail to two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Further information about the charges was not available from the court. He was sentenced to time served at the PSB and fined $1,800.

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